Master of Science in Nursing Degrees
Registered Nurses (RNs) with a masters level education are in high demand as the shortage of physicians in primary care and in less populated areas deepens. These nurses, referred to as Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs), are becoming a critical component in both reducing health care costs and increasing the availability of care. Nurses who pursue a masters degree will have the opportunity to choose a rewarding career path that will also result in an increased salary.
Masters degree programs provide the training necessary for nurses to perform expanded roles and to pass the required licensing exams. Students receive advanced general medical training as well as training specific to their choice of specialization.
Degree Options
There are masters level nursing programs that accommodate people with various educational backgrounds including those who have the following degrees:
- Bachelor's degree in nursing
- Bachelor's degree in another field
- Diploma or Associates degree RN
- Masters degree in nursing with a different specialization
Students in masters programs will choose to prepare for one of the following APN certifications:
- Nurse Practitioner (NP) - Primarily provides primary care and is able to write prescriptions.
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) – Focused on specialty care, management, education and research.
- Clinical Nurse Midwife (CNM) – Primarily provides prenatal, delivery, postpartum and gynecological services.
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) – Provides anesthesia and pain relief during surgeries, deliveries, trauma, etc.
Within the NP and CNS certifications, students can choose from various specialty areas that differ by program. Some commonly available options are:
- Adult Health
- Community Health
- Family Nursing
- Forensic Nursing
- Gerontological Nursing
- Palliative Care
- Pediatrics
- Mental Health
- Women's Health
- Acute/Critical Care
Licensing for NP, CNS, CRN and CRNA designations must be obtained from the state the nurse will be practicing in. State licensing requirements include graduation from an accredited masters degree program.
Schools
Schools that offer a Master of Science in Nursing degree include traditional universities and colleges, career schools and online colleges. Since many students want to continue working simultaneously with going to school, many schools offer flexible schedules and online classes. There are an increasing number of online schools that offer masters level nursing programs, allowing students to complete all of their coursework online. Clinical requirements are fulfilled at a medical facility near the student's home.
Coursework
Courses vary based on the certification and specialty but the following is a sample of some of the classes a student may take:
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Management Concept for Advanced Practice
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Primary Care (related to their speciality i.e. adult, pediatric, etc.)
- Roles and Issues in Advanced Practice
- Health Policy
- Complex Care Nursing
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Nursing Research
- Clinical Practicum, relevant to specialty
Featured Nursing Schools
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements vary from school to school but the minimum requirement is an RN associate degree or diploma for a program that combines the bachelor and masters degrees into one program. The more relevant prior schooling a student has, the less coursework they will need to complete to earn their degree. Schools often require that any nursing degree used as a prerequisite must be from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Career Options
Nurse Practitioner (NP) – There is a wide variety of settings a nurse practitioner can work in such as private offices, clinics, nursing homes, home health care agencies and hospitals. Due to the shortage of Primary Care Physicians (PCPs), there is a high demand for nurse practitioners who can take some of the burden off these overloaded physicians. NP's typically perform the same tasks that a PCP would normally perform including conducting exams, diagnosing and treating illnesses, ordering tests, prescribing medications and performing minor procedures.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) – CNSs may choose to work directly with patients in a similar role to that of an NP, but also have the option to become involved in nursing management, education and research. Their role often involves serving as an expert resource to other nurses and they most often work in hospital and other in-patient settings. Some choose to assume teaching positions and others continue their own education at the doctoral level.
Clinical Nurse Midwife (CNM) – CNMs' focus is on birthing but this specialty also encompasses a broad range of health care services for women and newborns. They may work in a hospital, private practice, clinic, health department or birthing center to provide family planning, gynecological and birthing services. They are typically able to prescribe medications (depending on the state), provide referrals and can work independently or in collaboration with physicians.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) – Most CRNAs work in hospital settings where they provide anesthesia services to patients having surgery. Other CRNAs work in pain clinics, physician's offices, dental offices, birthing centers, emergency rooms and out-patient surgery facilities.
Related Degrees & Programs
Certifications
There are over 20 nursing certification organizations that provide specialty certifications to RNs. These certifications have various educational, experience or exam requirements. Some examples of certifications include Certified Medical-Surgical RN(CMSRN), Critical Care RN(CCRN), Certified Rehabilitation RN(CRRN) and Certified Pediatrics Nurse(CPN).
Doctoral Degrees
After earning a masters degree, some nurses go on to earn a doctoral degree so that they may become an educator, conduct research or fill a leadership role. Doctor of Nursing Practice programs focus on clinical practice while the Doctor of Nursing Science programs focus on research and education.
How To Evaluate MSN Degree Programs
When choosing a masters in nursing program, it is wise to consider a number of factors that can impact the quality of the education as well as the value of the degree earned. These factors are discussed below.
- Accreditation – Nursing programs must be accredited by either the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). In addition, CRNA programs should be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.
- State Acceptance - Each state has different regulations but many require that a masters degree be received from a program recognized by the state. It is therefore important to verify that the program is acceptable to the state the RN plans to become licensed in.
- Prerequisites – Some programs are geared for RNs with specific educational backgrounds. For instance, if an RN already has a bachelor's degree, they should not attend a program created for RNs with an Associates degree or diploma since they would probably repeat coursework in this program.
- Flexibility – Since many nurses will continue working while attending school, schedule flexibility and the option to take classes online are typically important considerations.
- Staff Expertise – To maximum the learning potential of a masters program, there should be staff that has expertise in the specialty that the student has chosen to focus on.
Resources
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
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